For Granted: Regretful Childhood Friend

Chapter 10 | ✓

"No, absolutely not," I replied to one of Amanda's friends who had volunteered to help us choose an outfit for the party. I wasn't sure how I ended up in this situation, but since Amanda liked her, I thought it might be worth a shot. However, the girl seemed to believe that wearing less would attract more attention from the guys at the party. Seriously, what was she thinking?For the tenth time, she handed me a leather mini-skirt and a revealing top, insisting it would be the ideal outfit to make all the guys drool and teach Chase a lesson. "I'm not going to wear something so revealing just for Chase; it's not my style, and it never has been," I tried to explain, but she looked at me as if I were out of my mind.

"Listen, sweetheart, I know Chase. He's the guy every girl on campus wants. I can assure you that this is the only way to catch his eye. Your current style is a bit... conservative. You look like a virgin, honestly." What?! Was that written on my forehead? "And this skirt isn't as short as what other girls wear. Everyone else is wearing it. Plus, you can wear these sexy black tights with a line down the back." She also showed me a pair of killer black stiletto heels.

I glanced at Amanda with a look of horror and gestured toward her friend, silently asking where she had found this girl.

Amanda attempted to speak in a calming manner, holding the skirt up to her face. It resembled a piece of clothing meant for a doll. "Can we consider something a bit more... casual and less... revealing?" She aimed to be gentle, but the girl was convinced the outfit was incredibly stylish.

"If your friend," she said, pointing a red nail at me, "is trying to attract Chase, this is the perfect outfit. I can't recommend anything dull or... innocent. He won't even notice her," she remarked, glancing at my simple jeans and blouse as if I were hopeless. I felt annoyed by her judgment of my modest style, but Amanda stepped in to defend me.

"Okay, that's enough. First off, if I hear you call her a virgin again..." Amanda said, her tone sharp. "I promise you, you'll see how I handle things. Secondly, Chase is already pursuing this girl like a lovesick puppy. She is actually trying to push him away! You can leave now; we're not interested in your suggestions. Goodbye," she said, moving to the door and opening it for her.

"Excuse me?" the girl exclaimed, staring at us in disbelief. "I've slept with half the guys on this campus; I know what I'm doing. And I haven't heard anything about Chase liking this girl. No one goes to a party dressed like Mother Teresa!" she nearly yelled before storming out. That was... not good. Amanda grimaced at the door before slamming it shut. "Ugh..." she said, clearly frustrated.

"Why are you friends with her again?" I asked Amanda, frowning. "She seems a bit... rough," I added, startled, as I looked at the skirt, realizing it barely covered what it needed to. Amanda flopped back onto the bed with a heavy sigh. "She's not really my friend, just someone I know. I'll be more cautious from now on. She was so rude!" That was true.

"So," Amanda continued, propping her head on her hand and looking at me, "I really don't get why girls feel the need to show so much skin these days. I prefer to leave some things to the imagination. Did you see how silly Ashley looked with her underwear on display?" She burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but join in.

"Amanda, you're so harsh! I can't believe you said that," I replied, lying back on my bed. "But she kind of had it coming. They started it! And who fights in mini skirts?!" Honestly, who even fights over a guy these days?!
We lay there, staring at the ceiling, reflecting on everything that had happened. "Did she really think she could mess with you over a guy? Not while I'm here. Erin, you can't let people treat you like that!" She was right, but I didn't know how to stand up for myself, and I've never liked getting into trouble.

"I'm just not a fighter, Amanda. I've never been in a fight," I admitted. That was true. I always tried to steer clear of conflict, and Chase had always been there to defend me. But with everything happening now, I realized I couldn't keep relying on him.